"The laser energy is harmless, and only targets the pigmented skin, leaving the un-inked surrounding skin unharmed," reads the clinic's website.

In the clip above, the dark tattoo ink turns skin colour again as the laser works across the surface. It's pretty fascinating to watch and doesn't seem to take too long either.

Unsurprisingly, laser tattoo removal does hurt. It causes some physical pain and irritation to the area being treated, which can vary depending on the person.

The experience has been likened to the feeling of having a rubber band snapped on your skin, rapid succession of pricks or scratching sunburn, according to Sk:n Clinics.

"Tattoo removal treatments on areas with more fat like the arms and buttocks are generally not as painful as areas where there is less fat or close to a bone like the neck, ankle or finger," their site reads.